16Feb 2014 by myexracer

Last gasp?

Barn tales
[caption id="attachment_965" align="alignleft" width="300"] The sand ring in two feet plus of snow[/caption] Maryland at least in my part yanno the DC burbs doesn't get much snow. In theory and usually. This winter has been a little different from everything everyone is telling me who have lived here longer then the three years I have. Its unusual to get snow like this. I'm actually more annoyed with the frozen ground then the snow its self. Under all that pretty white fluffy stuff is really hard ground that often has been chewed up a bit leaving hard points and mounds that can bruise hooves, especially in the paddocks. Cie la vie, it is what it is and theres not a lot i can do about it. No indoor means less riding…
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31Jan 2014 by myexracer

Peanut’s big find

Barn tales
Its still frozen though each day its warming up. Yesterday it was in the high 20's Hazaar! The ring was almost ridable but i thought id give it another day to truly unfreeze. Since riding wasn't happening Mary, Peanut and I decided to go for a walk. She wanted to show me a trail she found that she thought might make good horse back riding. We ride on a lot of private property and some neighbors are awesome about letting us cross their land, others? Not so much. This trail was on the not so much neighbors land but yanno its always worth asking. The most people can say is no. The ground was still snow covered but it was melting and easier to slog though then the other day.…
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29Jan 2014 by myexracer

Hurry up and wait

Barn tales
[caption id="attachment_859" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bridle path behind the farm[/caption] Its been too frozen to ride. The ground is covered in snow and beneath that the ground is frozen. I had a glimmer of hope yesterday when it got above 32 and the snow in my backyard melted. Of course its colder at the barn so ...no melt. Were supposed to get another inch tonight sticking. I know others have it worse but im really over this whole snow thing. I'm hopeful that it will warm up end of the week and the snow will melt and i can get my ponies back on a schedule. They are in the process of forgetting they are riding horses. Enough time with no work and my girls begin to think they are ornaments.…
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23Jan 2014 by myexracer

Old man winter

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_844" align="alignleft" width="225"] That looks delicious[/caption] It snowed again the other day. About 6 inches at home stuck and about 8 inches at the barn. It has been very cold out, highs in the low 20's or teens and wind chill factors making it feel at times below zero. Which of course means that the ground's covered in snow, under the snow the ground is frozen, i can't ride, i cant have my trainer out to ride, I don't want to get out of bed, i cant get motivated to do anything, my broken hand hurts like a motherfucker, i'm a bitch to be around and i miss California.. blah, blah, blah. Yanno the usual winter complaining bullshit. I read somewhere that this is the worst winter in this…
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04Jan 2014 by myexracer

Snow day on the farm

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_725" align="alignleft" width="300"] Snow day[/caption] When I got the the barn it was all covered in a soft white layer of fluffy snow. It looked beautiful but I know better it was cold out there. My car temperature gage read 23 degrees. Thats cold for this Southern California girl. I was prepared, I had all the clothes on. I thought maybe I'd ride Jez as Circe hasn't been ridden in a bit due to her sore hoof. Tina was working so the trail was out. She's my trail buddy and Jezebel isn't ready to hit the trail alone, we'll get there eventually but right now its just not possible. I checked out the ring and it looked usable. They snow hadn't turned to ice yet and it was all…
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03Jan 2014 by myexracer

Under the wire

Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Trail Riding
I met up with Tina early. The plan was to get out on the trail before the snow hit. It was cold. I was wearing all the cold weather stuff.. i mean all the stuff [caption id="attachment_696" align="alignright" width="300"] My jacket is lined with fur from this Muppet. Really![/caption] SmartPak's SmartShape Base Layer Tights. I got them on sale a while back and had yet to try them out. Over those i had on the Kerrits Power Stretch Winter Tights. For socks I had on sock liners and Smart Wool crew socks from REI. I hate spending that kind of money on socks but my feet were toasty at least for a while. My boots were my Ariat paddock boots. No half chaps, i own several pairs i never wear…
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12Dec 2013 by myexracer

Coffee Klatch

Barn tales, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_536" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Coffee Klatch[/caption] I had to cancel our training session for the day because of weather. Even though it was sunny and beautiful, I thought the ground would be frozen. The snow stopped but its been bitter cold and hasn't be above 35 degrees. In the afternoon I headed down to the barn to see my horses and to check the ring see if maybe it would be in shape to ride in tomorrow. The ground is still pretty snow covered and when I drove in Jez was snoozing on her side in the snow. Of course she was. I parked and walked down to get Jez. I whistled for her but she and Circe were not interested in coming to me, I had to go…
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10Dec 2013 by myexracer

Snow Ponies

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_527" align="alignleft" width="225"] Jezebel and Michelle In the snow![/caption] It doesn't snow a lot out here but it does snow. Certainly more then my Southern California born and raised self is used to. This is also the first winter I've had horses out here when I don't have an indoor ring to ride in. Lets just say I've invested in some better cold weather horse gear and clothes. Blizzard boots, under armor, a awesome cold weather jack from REI (on sale.. score!) and for the ponies, quarter sheets and warmer blankets. We are as prepared as we can be this year. For the last few days we've had some on and off again snow. Sunday is our regular day with our trainer she usually rides both girls and teaches…
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27Mar 2013 by myexracer

Boots, Bruises And Snow

Barn tales, Life with Jezebel, OTTB
[caption id="attachment_326" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="But that blade of grass tastes better!"][/caption] My girl got a stone bruise its taken a couple weeks to heal. Granted i am giving her extra time off because because i'm a little paranoid about it manifesting into a abscess (dodged a bullet on that one) while this resting of the bruised foot was occurring a semi private pasture became available. One of the barns long time boarders was leaving and his paddock mate being moved in with a couple other guys so he wouldn't be lonely. A friend and I lobbied for the new paddock and were lucky enough to get it so now Jez is in semi private turn out with Lilly. The two girls are like peas in a pd and get along…
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